Food-safety bill in limbo because of Senate error

A food-safety bill that was expected to easily clear the House after passing the Senate on Tuesday now appears to be on life support, Roll Callreports.

The reason: The Senate mistakenly incorporated tax provisions that are supposed to originate in the House, making it all but certain the lower chamber will send it back to the Senate to fix.

While the changes themselves might not be too complicated, the Senate will have a much tougher time passing the bill a second time this lame-duck session as time is running out. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) is expected to object to unanimous consent as he has in the past, and Senate Republican leaders say their caucus won't vote on any bills until the expiring tax cuts are dealt with.